[name_f]My[/name_f] partner loves the name [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] and it’s probably the front running name for them for our little one due next month. I do like the name [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], however I really don’t like the nn [name_f]Tilly[/name_f]/Tillie/Tilda. I don’t really like any of the usual [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] nicknames unless we pushed the boat out to something less expected like [name_f]Mae[/name_f] or [name_f]Dilly[/name_f]. BUT I do like [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] as a full name.
[name_f]My[/name_f] question is, if we named her [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] and only called her [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] would there be a time when I’d lose the battle and she’d eventually be called [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] or [name_f]Tilda[/name_f]?
Is it risky to use a name when you know you don’t like the most common nickname?
I don’t think you’d automatically get [name_f]Tilly[/name_f]. I know a [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] and she never went by a nickname, and nobody ever called her one. I think she might get [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] once or twice, but otherwise I think you’re good
I believe when you can and will get say into nicknames, she will be called as you wish.
But when she grows older, you wouldn’t care so much if she’s [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] or [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] since you’ll have more important things to keep in mind
I don’t think so! At least where I live, I would think you would be more likely to get [name_u]Mat[/name_u]/Mattie just because nicknames from the front of the name feel more obvious.
I think if you/your partner/your daughter says she doesn’t like nicknames, people won’t use them. And if they do, you can just correct them.
Matilda is lovely! I don’t think [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] is an automatic/unavoidable nickname, especially if you pick a different nickname from the get-go. I adore [name_f]Mae[/name_f], and [name_f]Dilly[/name_f] is so sweet too! I also really like the idea of [name_f]Millie[/name_f] as a nn for [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. All that being said, I do think it’s a little risky to use a name that has an obvious nickname that you strongly dislike. It’s easy enough for you to avoid calling her that, and most people will probably follow your lead–but there’s no guarantee that she wouldn’t decide to go by [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] someday. If that would be upsetting to you, it might be worth considering if there are any other options you love equally. But if by that point it probably wouldn’t bother you much anyway, then I think [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is perfect!
I think nicknames are unpredictable at the end of the day. If you always introduce her as [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], people will asociate her with [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] without nicknames. But she’ll have her own preferences when she grows up.
However, in my case for example, my own name has a very popular nickname but my parents always used the full form of the name to the point I don’t like the nickname and I never use it because It doesn’t feel “me”.
I’ve known several Matildas, some who’ve gone by [name_f]Tilly[/name_f], one who went by [name_u]Mattie[/name_u] and several who were just [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. I don’t think [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] is inevitable but i think you have to bear in mind, she might like it
I’m a [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f], and whilst I do go by those nicknames, I also have lots of others!
Possible nicknames (most of these I go by) :
[name_f]May[/name_f]
[name_f]Ana[/name_f]
Tils
Tee
[name_f]Em[/name_f]
[name_m]Till[/name_m]
[name_f]Dee[/name_f]
[name_f]Attie[/name_f]
[name_f]Mila[/name_f]
[name_f]Millie[/name_f]
[name_u]Mattie[/name_u]
[name_u]Mat[/name_u]
[name_f]Milda[/name_f]
I don’t think so. To me [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] isn’t an automatic nickname for [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. I think if you introduce her as [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] then (most) people will call her that.
I love the name [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. I think you can get by without [name_f]Tilly[/name_f], although maybe some of her friends will call her that later in life. Friends often give eachother nicknames parents never thought of. There’s a difference between and pet name and a nickname. [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] might become a pet name (a name that isn’t always used but is sometimes said for fun, like I’ve been called [name_u]Lenny[/name_u] for jokes but no one calls me that permanently.) A nickname is a name that is used full time, but is short for the birth name (like [name_f]Ellie[/name_f]/Elizabeth and [name_f]Lily[/name_f]/Lillian.) [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] won’t be a nickname, but can be a pet name. Tills is something I like as a call out. It’s short and is easy to shout, as in like “[name_f]Matilda[/name_f]! Tills come down here I need you to unload the dishwasher” or in sports “Hey Tills I’m open!/Tills can you pass the ball?” [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is a name with many pretty pet names. I think [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] should be her all around name, that way pet names will sound special! Good luck with [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]
I don’t think [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] / [name_f]Tillie[/name_f] / [name_f]Tilda[/name_f] are likely to happen. [name_f]My[/name_f] grandma was [name_f]Marcella[/name_f], and never went by [name_f]Marcie[/name_f] or [name_f]Ella[/name_f]. If you state to people what name you prefer your child to go by, whether it be the full first name or a nickname of your choosing, people will respect that.
BTW I don’t think [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] / [name_f]Tillie[/name_f] / [name_f]Tilda[/name_f] are the go to nicknames for [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. [name_u]Mattie[/name_u] / [name_u]Matty[/name_u] and the like would be my first thought.
Where are you from? Here in the US, I’ve never heard of anyone being named or called [name_f]Tilly[/name_f]. I think it’s so unusual here that it wouldn’t be folks’ first reaction even if they were searching for a nickname. I think [name_u]Mattie[/name_u] would be more likely.
But honestly, in the US, [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] itself is still pretty unusual and I think that gives you a lot of leeway in deciding the nicknames. [name_f]Mae[/name_f] is a sweet idea.
Honestly, no, I doubt you will get [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] very often. Since ‘til’ is more imbedded in the name I don’t think it’s as obvious as say [name_u]Mattie[/name_u].
Once she gets older and speaks for herself, she may choose to use the nickname [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] so then you would ‘lose the battle’. As a child though, as long as you push that her name is [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] and just [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], then I don’t think anyone will try to call her anything else.
I know a ton of just Jonathons, just Alexanders, just Isabels, etc and when someone tried to call them [name_m]Johnny[/name_m], [name_u]Alex[/name_u], [name_u]Izzy[/name_u], etc they correct them and move on. So I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.
I think it’s risky, just because in the future she may choose to go by [name_f]Tilly[/name_f]/Tilda and you might not like it. However, I don’t think it should stop you from using the name you love.
I don’t think so! People are more likely to find nicknames based on the first syllable, so [name_u]Mattie[/name_u] sounds more predictable for [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]
I don’t think [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] is an automatic/unavoidable nickname, especially if you pick a different nickname from the get-go. I adore [name_f]Mae[/name_f], and [name_f]Dilly[/name_f] is so sweet too! I also really like the idea of [name_f]Millie[/name_f] as a nn for [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. All that being said, I do think it’s a little risky to use a name that has an obvious nickname that you strongly dislike. It’s easy enough for you to avoid calling her that, and most people will probably follow your lead–but there’s no guarantee that she wouldn’t decide to go by [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] someday. If that would be upsetting to you, it might be worth considering if there are any other options you love equally. But if by that point it probably wouldn’t bother you much anyway, then I think [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is perfect!